The garage door was invented in the early 1900s to shelter automobiles as their use became more common. Early garages were indoor parking structures that rented spaces for $15-20 per month. In 1912, the first garage doors were introduced as double barn doors attached to outbuildings with hinges. Over time, garage doors evolved to include sliding tracks, sections that could fold, and ultimately overhead doors lifted by electric openers, addressing early issues like heavy doors, rusty hinges, and space efficiency. Continued improvements through the 1950s enhanced materials, insulation, and safety of modern garage doors.